A Dictionary of Dutchness

Formateur

As soon as two or three political parties have decided they can form a government following an election and have drawn up a coalition agreement, it is the job of the formateur to put together a cabinet. This is the last stage of the coalition formation process. The formateur approaches potential ministers, allocates responsibilities and keeps the monarch, currently Queen Beatrix, informed of progress. The formateur usually goes on to become prime minister.